Systems and methods for passive wire management

ABSTRACT

A system (e.g., an ultrasound imaging system) is provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe having a cable, and an ultrasound probe holder configured to receive the ultrasound probe. The system further includes a housing supported by a base. The housing includes a connector port and a cable manage passage. The cable manage passage positioned at an upper end of the housing distal to the base. The cable extending through the cable manage passage and is attached to the connector port. The ultrasound probe holder is coupled to a front side of the housing.

CLAIMS OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation (CON) of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/087,466 filed on Mar. 31, 2016. The above identified applicationis hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein generally relate to providing a method forpassive wire management for a diagnostic medical imaging system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diagnostic medical imaging systems typically include a scan portion anda control portion having a display. For example, ultrasound imagingsystems usually include ultrasound scanning devices, such as ultrasoundprobes having transducers that are connected to an ultrasound system tocontrol the acquisition of ultrasound data by performing variousultrasound scans (e.g., imaging the volume or body).

Settings and/or configurations of the ultrasound system is controlled bya clinician using a user interface 110. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of a conventional ultrasound system 100. In the conventionalultrasound systems 100, the user interface 110 is divided into threedistinct elements a flat screen or display 104, a separate touchscreen106, and an operating panel 108 conventionally mounted to a base 102positioned below the operating panel 108. For example, the flat screen104 displays one or more ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasoundsystem 100. Additionally, the flat screen 104 may include a graphicaluser interface (GUI) that is used in connection with the operating panel108. The touchscreen 106 is used by the user or clinician to configureor adjust settings of one or more ultrasound probes 116. The operatingpanel 108 includes physical buttons and a trackball used to interfacewith the GUI of the flat screen display 104.

The conventional ultrasound system 100 includes a probe holder 112positioned at opposing adjacent sides of the operating panel 108. Theprobe holder 112 is configured to hold the ultrasound probes 116. Theultrasound probes 116 are coupled to the base 102 by a wire or cable114. During movement of the conventional ultrasound system 100, thecable 114 can be tangled or dragged on the ground, caught in the wheelsof the base 102, and/or the like potentially damaging the cable 114.Additionally, when the cable 114 is caught one or more of the ultrasoundprobes 116 may be dislodged from the probe holder 112, damaged, and/orthe like. For these and other reasons, an improved wire management isneeded for diagnostic medical imaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment a system (e.g., an ultrasound imaging system) isprovided. The system includes an ultrasound probe having a cable, and anultrasound probe holder configured to receive the ultrasound probe. Thesystem further includes a housing supported by a base. The housingincludes a connector port and a cable manage passage. The cable managepassage positioned at an upper end of the housing distal to the base.The cable extending through the cable manage passage, and is attached tothe connector port. The ultrasound probe holder is coupled to a frontside of the housing.

In an embodiment a housing is provided an ultrasound imaging system. Thehousing includes an arm mount coupled to a front side of the housing.The arm mount is configured to traverse along a vertical track of thehousing. The arm mount is further configured to adjust at least one of arotational position, a tilt angle, or a vertical position of a display.The housing includes a connector port coupled to a back side of thehousing. The housing further includes a base and a cable manage passagepositioned at opposing ends of the housing. The cable manage passageextending along two orthogonal directions of the housing. The cablemanage passage including an entry aperture along a first orthogonaldirection, and an exiting aperture along a second orthogonal direction.The connector port is positioned proximate to the exiting aperture.

In an embodiment a method (e.g., for manufacturing a housing for anultrasound imaging system) is provided. The method includes providing acover segment and a base. The cover segment includes a cable managepassage extending along two orthogonal directions. The cable managepassage includes an entry aperture along a first orthogonal directionand an exiting aperture along a second orthogonal direction. The methodfurther includes defining a distance between the cover segment and thebase based on a length of a cable of an ultrasound probe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional ultrasoundsystem.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the ultrasound imaging system shown inFIG. 2

FIG. 4 illustrates a lateral view of a portion of the ultrasound imagingsystem shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a change in vertical position of a display of theultrasound imaging system shown in FIG. 2

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a simplified block diagram of an ultrasoundimaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of certain embodiments will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To theextent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional modules ofvarious embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarilyindicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, forexample, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors ormemories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., ageneral purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory,hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand-aloneprograms, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, maybe functions in an installed software package, and the like. It shouldbe understood that the various embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional elements not having that property.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods to passively managecords, cables, and/or wires of a diagnostic medical imaging system, suchas an ultrasound imaging system. Embodiments described herein positionsultrasound probes and/or connectors at an elevated position of theultrasound imaging system. Based on the position of the ultrasoundprobes and/or connectors, cables will remain off the floor preventingpossible damage to the ultrasound probes reducing costs (e.g.,replacement ultrasound probes can range from $3,000-5,000) and/ormaintaining patient scheduling throughput, and contained within aproximity envelope of the ultrasound imaging system. For example, ahousing of the ultrasound imaging system is designed to position theultrasound probes and connectors at a high position relative to thehousing. Additionally, a column shape of the housing provides athermally efficient form relative to conventional housings.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasound imaging system200, in accordance with an embodiment. The ultrasound imaging system 200includes a housing 202, a display 238, and one or more ultrasound probes226. The housing 202 has a column shape extending from a base 216 to acover segment 208 defining a height 224 of the housing 202. The height224 extends along a longitudinal axis 232. The housing 202 may have asubstantially rectangular form. For example, the housing 202 may havetwo orthogonal sides corresponding to a width 223 and a length 222.Optionally, the sides of the housing 202 may be curved such that thesides are non-orthogonal with respect to each other. The width 223 mayextend along an axis 234, and the length 222 may extend along an axis230. The height 224 of the housing 202 is greater than the width 223and/or the length 222. For example, a distance of the height 224extending along the longitudinal axis 232 is greater than distances ofthe width 223 and the length 222 extending along the axes 234 and 230,respectively. In another example, a length of the height 224 along thelongitudinal axis 232 may be a first magnitude greater than a length ofthe width 223 along the axis 234, and the length of the height 224 maybe a second magnitude greater than a length of the of the length 222along the axis 230.

The base 216 is configured to support the housing 202 and/or theultrasound imaging system 200. Optionally, the base 216 may include aplurality of wheels 218 enabling the base 216 and the housing 202 to bemobile, such as movable base. For example, the base 216 may changepositions or locations within a room, be moved to an alternative room orbuilding relative to a prior location of the base 216, and/or the like.Additionally or alternatively, the housing 202 may be extended to form astationary base, which does not include the plurality of wheels 218. Forexample, the housing 202 may be mounted to a wall of the room, mountedto a bed of the patient, does, and/or the like.

Optionally, the housing 202 may include one or more handles 206extending from the housing 202. The handle 206 may extend along one ormore sides of the housing 202. For example, the handle 206 may extendalong a lateral side and a back side 240 of the housing 202. Inoperation, the handle 206 may be utilized by the user to adjust aposition of the ultrasound imaging system 200.

The housing 202 may include a connector port 210. The connector port 210may be positioned along the back side 240 of the housing 202.Optionally, the connector port 210 may be positioned on a lateral sideof the housing 202 extending along the axis 234. Additionally oralternatively, the connector port 210 may be positioned more proximateto the cover segment 208 relative to the base 216 of the housing. Forexample, the connector port 210 is positioned between the cover segment208 and a mid-point 244 that is positioned at half the height 224 of thehousing 202.

The connector port 210 may be configured to attach one or more of theultrasound probes 226 to the housing 202. For example, each of theultrasound probes 226 include a cable 214 extending from the ultrasoundprobe 226. The connector port 210 is configured to be coupled to the oneor more cables 214, thereby attaching the one or more cables 214 to thehousing 202. The connector port 210 may be attached externally to thehousing 202. For example, the connector port 210 is configured to beaccessible from outside the housing 202. Additionally or alternatively,the connector port 210 may be built into and/or disposed on an externalsurface of the housing 202. For example, the one or more cables 214 canbe operably attached to the connector port 210 without having to run theone or more cables 214 inside the housing 202. The connector port 210further electrically couples one or more of the ultrasound probes 226 toone or more components within the housing 202. For example, when the oneor more cables 214 is coupled to the connector port 210 the ultrasoundprobe 226 may be electrically coupled to a controller circuit (e.g., acontroller circuit 626 in FIG. 6), such that the controller circuit 226may receive ultrasound signals from the ultrasound probe 226.Optionally, the connector port 210 may include a flap, cover, removableplug insert, and/or the like for preventing an ingress of foreigncontaminates into the connector port 210 when the one or more cables 214is not operably attached to the connector port 210.

The cover segment 208 of the housing 202 is positioned opposite and/ordistal from the base 216. Additionally or alternatively, the coversegment 208 may extend from a top 246 of the housing 202 to a sidecorresponding to a position of the connector port 210. For example, thecover segment 208 may extend from a front 242 to the back side 240 ofthe housing 202. Additionally or alternatively, a secondary storagecontainer (not shown) may be positioned on top of the cover segment 208.For example, the secondary storage container may be configured to holdmedical supplies (e.g., gloves, towels, gel, and/or the like),sterilization equipment (e.g., ultrasound probe sleeves, service wipes,and/or the like), and/or the like. The cover segment 208 furtherincludes a cable manage passage 212.

The cable manage passage 212 is positioned an upper end of the housing202 distal to the base 216. The cable manage passage 212 may be a cavityextending within the cover segment 208. Additionally or alternatively,the cable manage passage 212 may be channel extending along an outersurface of the cover segment 208. The cable manage passage 212 includesan entry aperture 248 and an exiting aperture 250. The entry aperture248 may be positioned to face at the front 242 of the housing 202.Additionally or alternatively, the cable manage passage 212 may includeone or more entry apertures 248 positioned to face a lateral side(s)and/or the front 242 of the housing 202. For example, the cable managepassage 212 may include a first entry aperture and a second entryaperture positioned at opposing lateral sides of the housing 202. Thefirst and second entry apertures are configured to receive a portion ofthe one or more cables 214. For example, the first entry aperture mayreceive a first set of the cables 214, and the second entry aperture mayreceive a second set of the cables 214.

The exiting aperture 250 may be positioned at the back side 240 of thehousing 202 proximate to the connector port 210. The cable managepassage 212 may extend along two orthogonal directions of the housing202 and/or cover segment 208. For example, a first portion 256 of thecable manage passage 212 may extend from the entry aperture 230 alignedwith the axis 230 along the housing 202. A second portion 258 of thecable manage passage 212 may extend along the axis 232 terminating atthe exiting aperture 250 toward the connector port 210.

The cable manage passage 212 may be configured to direct the one or morecables 214 from the front 242 of the housing 202 to the connector port210. For example, the one or more cables 214 traverse within the cablemanage passage 212 extending from the entry aperture 248 to the exitingaperture 250 proximate to the connector port 210. Optionally, the cablemanage passage 212 may guide the one or more cables 214 along differentdirections (e.g., two orthogonal directions) of the housing 202. Forexample, the cable manage passage 212 may direct the one or more cables214 from the entry aperture 248 along the axis 230 and direct the one ormore cables 214 to the exit aperture 250 along the axis 232 orthogonalto the axis 230. It may be noted based on the cable manage passage 212the housing 202 produces a gap between the one or more ultrasound probes226 and the connector port 210. For example, since the one or morecables 214 extend through the cable manage passage 212 of the coversegment 208 the housing 202 is continually interposed between the one ormore ultrasound probes 226 and the connector port 210 along the axis230.

The display 238 is coupled to the front side 242 of the housing 202. Thedisplay 238 may be a crystal display (e.g., light emitting diode (LED)backlight), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, plasma display,CRT display, and/or the like. The display 238 may be a touch screendisplay. For example, the display 238 may display a graphical userinterface (GUI), which may be used by a user to control operations ofthe ultrasound imaging system 200.

The display 238 includes an ultrasound probe holder 220. The ultrasoundprobe holder 220 is configured to secure the one or more ultrasoundprobes 226 allowing the one or more cables 214 to dangle or hang freelyfrom the one or more ultrasound probes 226. For example, the ultrasoundprobe holder 220 receives the one or more ultrasound probes 226 tomaintain a position of the one or more ultrasound probes 226 withrespect to the housing 202. The ultrasound probe holder 220 may bepositioned along an edge of the display 238 proximate to the housing202. For example, the ultrasound probe holder 220 may be interposedbetween the display 238 and the housing 202. Optionally, a position ofthe ultrasound probe holder 220 may be adjusted along a direction of anarrow 254 about a pivot point 252. In connection with FIG. 3, the one ormore ultrasound probes 226 may be received by the ultrasound probeholder 220 into a respective slot 302.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view 300 of the ultrasound imaging system 200.The ultrasound probe holder 220 includes a plurality of slots 302. Eachof the slots 302 may have an entry diameter 304 and a resting diameter306. The entry diameter 304 may be smaller than the resting diameter306. The entry diameter 304 may be configured to allow a portion of theone or more ultrasound probes 226 and/or the one or more cables 214 tomove into the resting diameter 306. The resting diameter 306 may beconfigured to be smaller than a portion of the one or more ultrasoundprobes 226. For example, the resting diameter 306 may be smaller thantransducer heads of the one or more ultrasound probe 226.

Additionally or alternatively, the housing 202 may be configured tocontain and/or maintain a position of the one or more ultrasound probes226 and/or the one or more cables 214 within a footprint 310 of theultrasound imaging system 200. For example, the cable manage passage 212of the cover segment 208 and/or the ultrasound probe holder 220 mayconfine the one or more ultrasound probes 226 and/or the one or morecables 214 within the footprint 310. The footprint 310 may correspond toa proximity envelope of the ultrasound imaging system 200 defined by thehousing 202. In various embodiments, a boundary of the footprint 310 maybe defined by distal edges 312-318 of one or more components of thehousing 202, the back side 240, and/or the like. For example, theboundary of the footprint 310 may be define by the distal edge 312 ofthe display 238, the distal edges 315-316 of the wheels 218, and/or theback side 240.

Optionally, on a top of the cover segment 208 may include one or morevents 320 proximate to the cable manage passage 212. Additionally oralternatively, the one or more vents 320 may be positioned along theback side 240 of the cover segment 208, a lateral side of the housingproximate to the cover segment 208, and/or the like. The vent 320 maycorrespond to a plurality of apertures or openings of the housing 202.The vent 320 may be configured to regulate a temperature within thehousing 202. For example, the heated air may traverse from within thehousing 202 and be exhausted from the vent 320 into the ambient airproximate to the cover segment 208 and/or external to the housing 202.

In various embodiments, an opposing vent proximate to the base 216 ofthe housing 202 may form a passive cooling system within the housing202. The opposing vent may be facing a lateral side of the housing 202along the axis 234, facing a distal end of the housing 202 toward theground along the axis 232, facing the front 242 of the housing 202,and/or the like. The vent 320 and the opposing vent may enable airinfiltration within the housing 202 generating a stack effect (e.g.,chimney effect) within the housing 202. The vent 320 and the opposingvent may reduce a thermal temperature of one or more components withinthe housing 202. In operation, air within the housing 202 may absorbthermal energy generated by the components within the housing 202 toform heated air. The heated air may have a greater temperature than theambient air external to the housing 202. The difference in airtemperature creates a buoyancy force of the heated air within thehousing 202. The buoyancy force propels the heated air within thehousing 202 to the vent 320 allowing ambient air (having a lowertemperature than the heated air) to enter the housing 202 via theopposing vent circulating air within the housing 202. The circulatingair may reduce a temperature of the components within the housing 202.

Additionally or alternatively, the vent 320 and the opposing vent may bepositioned at opposing ends of a channel (not shown) extending withinthe housing 202. For example, the channel may correspond to a conduit orpassage within the housing 202 extending from the opposing vent to thevent 320. The channel may be configured to allow air flow to traversewithin the channel from the opposing vent and the vent 320. Optionally,the channel may include one or more apertures extending from the channelto one or more components within the housing 202. For example, the oneor more apertures may be configured to deliver ambient air traversingwithin the channel from the opposing vent to the one or more components.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lateral view 400 of a portion of the ultrasoundimaging system 200, in accordance with an embodiment. The lateral view400 shows an arm mount 404 extending from the front 242 of the housing202. The arm mount 404 may be coupled to the housing 202 via a verticaltrack 402. The display 238 may be coupled and/or mounted to the armmount 404. Optionally, the arm mount 404 may include one or more pivotjoints 406 and 414 positioned at opposing ends of the arm mount 404. Theone or more pivot joints 406 and 414 may be configured to adjust arotational position of the arm mount 404 with respect to the housing202, the display 238 with respect to the arm mount 404 and/or housing202, and/or the like.

For example, the arm mount 404 may be coupled or mounted to the verticaltrack 402 of the housing 202 at the pivot joint 406. The pivot joint 406may be configured to adjust a rotational position of the arm mount 404(about a pivot point of the pivot joint 406) along a rotational arrow408. In another example, the display 238 may be coupled or mounted tothe arm mount 404 at the pivot joint 414. A tilt angle 412 of thedisplay 238 may be adjusted using the pivot joint 414 of the arm mount404 by rotating the display 238 about a pivot point of the pivot joint414. Additionally or alternatively, the display 238 may include aposition handle 410 extending from a distal end of the display 238. Theposition handle 410 may be utilized by the user to adjust the tile angle412 and/or the rotational position of the monitor 248 with respect tothe housing 202.

Additionally or alternatively, the arm mount 404 may be configured toguide the one or more cables 214 between the housing 202 and the probeholder 220. For example, the arm mount 404 may include fasteners,channels, grooves, and/or the like to couple, grip, hold, and/or thelike at least a portion of the one or more cables 214 to the arm mount404. During rotation, articulation, and/or the like of the display 238relative to the housing 202, the arm mount 404 may guide and/orreposition the one or more cables 214 to confine the one or more cable214 within the foot print 310 (FIG. 3).

The vertical track 402 may extend along at least a portion of the front242 of the housing 202 along the axis 232. For example, the verticaltrack 402 may be overlaid on a portion of the housing 202. The arm mount404 may traverse along the vertical track 402 adjusting a position ofthe arm mount 404 with respect to the housing 202. In operation, the armmount 404 adjusts a vertical position of the display 238 when traversingalong the vertical track 402. For example, the user may grasp theposition handle 410 to move the arm mount 404 along the vertical track402 to adjust a vertical position of the display 238.

FIG. 5 illustrates a change in vertical position 510 of the display 238of the ultrasound imaging system 200. For example, the display 238 isadjusted from a first vertical position 502 to a second verticalposition 504. The second vertical position 504 is lower than and/or moreproximate to the base 216 relative to the first vertical position 502.It may be noted that as the display 238 is lowered to the secondvertical position 504, the ultrasound probes 226 secured in theultrasound probe holder 220 are lowered concurrently with the display238. As the ultrasound probes 226 are lowered, the one or more cables214 hang freely from the ultrasound probes 226 but do not extend lowerthan the housing 202 and/or base 216. For example, the one or morecables 214 do not touch the ground when the display 238 is at the secondvertical position 504.

In operation, a position of the cover segment 208 and/or a length of thevertical track 402 may be based on a length of the one or more cables214 to prevent the one or more cables 214 to be in contact with theground. For example, the cover segment 208 and/or the entry aperture 248may be positioned at a height 520 of the housing 202 relative to theground. The vertical track 402 may extend from a point 512 to the firstvertical position 502. For example, the display 238 may berepositionable from the first vertical position 502 to the point 512.The point 512 corresponds to a position of the display 238 that is moreproximate to the ground relative to other vertical positions of thedisplay 238 along the vertical track 402. At the point 512, the display238 may be positioned a height 522 from the ground. A sum of the heights520 and 522 may be configured to be greater than a length of the one ormore cables 214, which prevent the one or more cables 214 from being incontact with the ground.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram 600 of a diagnostic medical imagingsystem, specifically, the ultrasound imaging system 200. For example,the schematic diagram may illustrate one or more components that arewithin the housing 202. The ultrasound imaging system 200 includes oneor more ultrasound probes 226, each having a transmitter 622 andprobe/SAP electronics 610. Each of the ultrasound probes 226 may beconfigured to acquire ultrasound data or information from a region ofinterest (e.g., organ, blood vessel, heart) of the patient. The one ormore ultrasound probes 226 are communicatively coupled to the controllercircuit 636 via the transmitter 622. The transmitter 622 transmits asignal to a transmit beamformer 621 based on acquisition settingsreceived by the user. The signal transmitted by the transmitter 622 inturn drives the transducer elements 624 within the transducer array 612.The transducer elements 624 emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into apatient (e.g., a body). A variety of a geometries and configurations maybe used for the array 612. Further, the array 612 of transducer elements624 may be provided as part of, for example, different types ofultrasound probes.

The acquisition settings may define an amplitude, pulse width,frequency, and/or the like of the ultrasonic pulses emitted by thetransducer elements 624. The acquisition settings may be adjusted by theuser by selecting a gain setting, power, time gain compensation (TGC),resolution, and/or the like from the user interface 642.

The transducer elements 624 emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into a body(e.g., patient) or volume corresponding to the acquisition settingsalong one or more scan planes. The ultrasonic signals may include, forexample, one or more reference pulses, one or more pushing pulses (e.g.,shear-waves), and/or one or more pulsed wave Doppler pulses. At least aportion of the pulsed ultrasonic signals back-scatter from a region ofinterest (ROI) (e.g., heart, left ventricular outflow tract, breasttissues, liver tissues, cardiac tissues, prostate tissues, and the like)to produce echoes. The echoes are delayed in time and/or frequencyaccording to a depth or movement, and are received by the transducerelements 624 within the transducer array 612. The ultrasonic signals maybe used for imaging, for generating and/or tracking shear-waves, formeasuring changes in position or velocity within the ROI (e.g., flowvelocity, movement of blood cells), differences in compressiondisplacement of the tissue (e.g., strain), and/or for therapy, amongother uses. For example, the one or more probes 226 may deliver lowenergy pulses during imaging and tracking, medium to high energy pulsesto generate shear-waves, and high energy pulses during therapy.

The transducer array 612 may have a variety of array geometries andconfigurations for the transducer elements 624 which may be provided aspart of, for example, different types of the one or more ultrasoundprobes 226. The probe/SAP electronics 610 may be used to control theswitching of the transducer elements 624. The probe/SAP electronics 610may also be used to group the transducer elements 624 into one or moresub-apertures.

The transducer elements 624 convert the received echo signals intoelectrical signals which may be received by a receiver 628. The receiver628 may include one or more amplifiers, an analog to digital converter(ADC), and/or the like. The receiver 628 may be configured to amplifythe received echo signals after proper gain compensation and convertthese received analog signals from each transducer element 624 todigitized signals sampled uniformly in time. The digitized signalsrepresenting the received echoes are stored on memory 640, temporarily.The digitized signals correspond to the backscattered waves receives byeach transducer element 624 at various times. After digitization, thesignals still may preserve the amplitude, frequency, phase informationof the backscatter waves.

Optionally, the controller circuit 636 may retrieve the digitizedsignals stored in the memory 640 to prepare for the beamformer processor630. For example, the controller circuit 636 may convert the digitizedsignals to baseband signals or compressing the digitized signals.

The beamformer processor 630 may include one or more processors.Optionally, the beamformer processor 630 may include a centralcontroller circuit (CPU), one or more microprocessors, or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Additionally or alternatively, thebeamformer processor 630 may execute instructions stored on a tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 640) forbeamforming calculations using any suitable beamforming method such asadaptive beamforming, synthetic transmit focus, aberration correction,synthetic aperture, clutter reduction and/or adaptive noise control,and/or the like.

The beamformer processor 630 may further perform filtering anddecimation, such that only the digitized signals corresponding torelevant signal bandwidth is used, prior to beamforming of the digitizeddata. For example, the beamformer processor 630 may form packets of thedigitized data based on scanning parameters corresponding to focalzones, expanding aperture, imaging mode (B-mode, color flow), and/or thelike. The scanning parameters may define channels and time slots of thedigitized data that may be beamformed, with the remaining channels ortime slots of digitized data that may not be communicated for processing(e.g., discarded).

The beamformer processor 630 performs beamforming on the digitizedsignals and outputs a radio frequency (RF) signal. The RF signal is thenprovided to an RF processor 632 that processes the RF signal. The RFprocessor 632 may generate different ultrasound image data types, e.g.B-mode, color Doppler (velocity/power/variance), tissue Doppler(velocity), and Doppler energy, for multiple scan planes or differentscanning patterns. For example, the RF processor 632 may generate tissueDoppler data for multi-scan planes. The RF processor 632 gathers theinformation (e.g. I/Q, B-mode, color Doppler, tissue Doppler, andDoppler energy information) related to multiple data slices and storesthe data information, which may include time stamp andorientation/rotation information, in the memory 640.

Alternatively, the RF processor 632 may include a complex demodulator(not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairsrepresentative of the echo signals. The RF or IQ signal data may then beprovided directly to the memory 640 for storage (e.g., temporarystorage). Optionally, the output of the beamformer processor 630 may bepassed directly to the controller circuit 636.

The controller circuit 636 may be configured to process the acquiredultrasound data (e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and prepareframes of ultrasound image data for display on the display 638. Thecontroller circuit 636 may include one or more processors. Optionally,the controller circuit 636 may include a central controller circuit(CPU), one or more microprocessors, a graphics controller circuit (GPU),or any other electronic component capable of processing inputted dataaccording to specific logical instructions. Having the controllercircuit 636 that includes a GPU may be advantageous forcomputation-intensive operations, such as volume-rendering. Additionallyor alternatively, the controller circuit 636 may execute instructionsstored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g.,the memory 640).

The controller circuit 636 is configured to perform one or moreprocessing operations according to a plurality of selectable ultrasoundmodalities on the acquired ultrasound data, adjust or define theultrasonic pulses emitted from the transducer elements 624, adjust oneor more image display settings of components (e.g., ultrasound images,interface components, positioning regions of interest) displayed on thedisplay 638, and other operations as described herein. Acquiredultrasound data may be processed in real-time by the controller circuit636 during a scanning or therapy session as the echo signals arereceived. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound data may bestored temporarily in the memory 640 during a scanning session andprocessed in less than real-time in a live or off-line operation.

The memory 640 may be used for storing processed frames of acquiredultrasound data that are not scheduled to be displayed immediately or tostore post-processed images (e.g., shear-wave images, strain images),firmware or software corresponding to, for example, a graphical userinterface, one or more default image display settings, programmedinstructions (e.g., for the controller circuit 636, the beamformerprocessor 630, the RF processor 632), and/or the like. The memory 640may be a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium such asflash memory, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and/or the like.

The memory 640 may store 3D ultrasound image data sets of the ultrasounddata, where such 3D ultrasound image data sets are accessed to present2D and 3D images. For example, a 3D ultrasound image data set may bemapped into the corresponding memory 640, as well as one or morereference planes. The processing of the ultrasound data, including theultrasound image data sets, may be based in part on user inputs, forexample, user selections received at the user interface 642.

The controller circuit 636 is operably coupled to the display 238 and auser interface 642. The display 238 may include one or more liquidcrystal displays (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) backlight), organiclight emitting diode (OLED) displays, plasma displays, CRT displays,and/or the like. The display 238 may display patient information,ultrasound images and/or videos, components of a display interface, oneor more 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound image data sets from ultrasound datastored in the memory 640 or currently being acquired, measurements,diagnosis, treatment information, and/or the like received by thedisplay 238 from the controller circuit 236.

The user interface 642 controls operations of the controller circuit 636and is configured to receive inputs from the user. The user interface642 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, one or more physicalbuttons, and/or the like. Optionally, the display 238 may be a touchscreen display, which includes at least a portion of the user interface642.

For example, a portion of the user interface 642 may correspond to agraphical user interface (GUI) generated by the controller circuit 636shown on the display 238. The GUI may include one or more interfacecomponents that may be selected, manipulated, and/or activated by theuser operating the user interface 642 (e.g., touch screen, keyboard,mouse). The interface components may be presented in varying shapes andcolors, such as a graphical or selectable icon, a slide bar, a cursor,and/or the like. Optionally, one or more interface components mayinclude text or symbols, such as a drop-down menu, a toolbar, a menubar, a title bar, a window (e.g., a pop-up window) and/or the like.Additionally or alternatively, one or more interface components mayindicate areas within the GUI for entering or editing information (e.g.,patient information, user information, diagnostic information), such asa text box, a text field, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the interface components may perform variousfunctions when selected, such as measurement functions, editingfunctions, database access/search functions, diagnostic functions,controlling acquisition settings, and/or system settings for theultrasound imaging system 200 performed by the controller circuit 636.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 in accordance with an embodiment.The method 700 may be, for example, a method of manufacturing orassembling the housing 202 of the ultrasound imaging system 200. Themethod 700 may employ structures or aspects of various embodiments(e.g., systems and/or methods) discussed herein. In various embodiments,certain steps may be omitted or added, certain steps may be combined,certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may beperformed concurrently, certain steps may be split into multiple steps,certain steps may be performed in a different order, or certain steps orseries of steps may be re-performed in an iterative fashion.

The method 700 includes providing, at 702, providing a cover segment anda base. The cover segment may be similar to and/or the same as, forexample, the cover segment 208 (FIGS. 2-5). The cover segment includes acable manage passage extending along two orthogonal directions. Forexample, the cable manage passage includes an entry aperture along afirst orthogonal direction and an exiting aperture along a secondorthogonal direction. The base may be similar to and/or the same as, forexample, the cover segment 216 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

The method 700 also includes defining, at 704, a distance between thecover segment and the base based on a length of a cable (e.g., the oneor more cables 214) of an ultrasound probe (e.g., the one or moreultrasound probes 226). For example, the distance may be configured tobe greater than a length of the cable to prevent the cable 214 frombeing in contact with the ground.

In an embodiment a system (e.g., an ultrasound imaging system) isprovided. The system includes an ultrasound probe having a cable, and anultrasound probe holder configured to receive the ultrasound probe. Thesystem further includes a housing supported by a base. The housingincludes a connector port and a cable manage passage. The cable managepassage positioned at an upper end of the housing distal to the base.The cable extending through the cable manage passage, and is attached tothe connector port. The ultrasound probe holder is coupled to a frontside of the housing.

Optionally, the cable manage passage may extend along two orthogonaldirections of the housing.

Optionally, the system includes a display such that the ultrasound probeholder is interposed between the housing and the display. Additionallyor alternatively, the system includes an arm mount. The display may becoupled to the arm mount. The arm mount may be configured to adjust atleast one of a rotational position, a tilt angle, or a vertical positionof the display with respect to the housing. Additionally oralternatively, the system further includes a vertical track extendingalong the front side of the housing. The arm mount may be configured totraverse along the vertical track. Additionally or alternatively, alength of the vertical track may be based on a length of the cable.Additionally or alternatively, the arm mount may be configured to guidethe cable between the housing and the display.

Optionally, the housing may include a first vent proximate to the cablemanage passage configured to regulate a temperature within the housing.Additionally or alternatively, the housing may include a second ventpositioned proximate to the base. The first and second vents may beconfigured to generate a stack effect within the housing.

Optionally, the housing may include a channel extending within thehousing. The channel may have a first and second vent positioned atopposing ends.

Optionally, the housing may be configured to maintain a position of thecable within a footprint defined by the housing.

Optionally, the connector port may be positioned along a back side ofthe housing.

Optionally, the connector port may be positioned between the cablemanage passage and a mid-point of the housing.

Optionally, the base may include a plurality of wheels.

Optionally, the cable manage passage may include a first entry apertureand a second entry aperture positioned at opposing lateral sides of thehousing.

Optionally, the cable manage passage may include an exiting aperturepositioned at a back side of the housing.

Optionally, a position of the cable manage passage is based on a lengthof the cable.

In an embodiment a housing is provided an ultrasound imaging system. Thehousing includes an arm mount coupled to a front side of the housing.The arm mount is configured to traverse along a vertical track of thehousing. The arm mount is further configured to adjust at least one of arotational position, a tilt angle, or a vertical position of a display.The housing includes a connector port coupled to a back side of thehousing. The housing further includes a base and a cable manage passagepositioned at opposing ends of the housing. The cable manage passageextending along two orthogonal directions of the housing. The cablemanage passage including an entry aperture along a first orthogonaldirection, and an exiting aperture along a second orthogonal direction.The connector port is positioned proximate to the exiting aperture.

Optionally, the connector port may be attached to a cable of anultrasound probe. A height of the cable manage passage may be based on alength of the cable.

In an embodiment a method (e.g., for manufacturing a housing for anultrasound imaging system) is provided. The method includes providing acover segment and a base. The cover segment includes a cable managepassage extending along two orthogonal directions. The cable managepassage includes an entry aperture along a first orthogonal directionand an exiting aperture along a second orthogonal direction. The methodfurther includes defining a distance between the cover segment and thebase based on a length of a cable of an ultrasound probe.

It should be noted that the various embodiments may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination thereof. The various embodimentsand/or components, for example, the modules, or components andcontrollers therein, also may be implemented as part of one or morecomputers or processors. The computer or processor may include acomputing device, an input device, a display unit and an interface, forexample, for accessing the Internet. The computer or processor mayinclude a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to acommunication bus. The computer or processor may also include a memory.The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory(ROM). The computer or processor further may include a storage device,which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as asolid-state drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage devicemay also be other similar means for loading computer programs or otherinstructions into the computer or processor.

As used herein, the term “computer,” “subsystem” or “module” may includeany processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systemsusing microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), ASICs,logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executingthe functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only,and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/ormeaning of the term “computer”.

The computer or processor executes a set of instructions that are storedin one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. Thestorage elements may also store data or other information as desired orneeded. The storage element may be in the form of an information sourceor a physical memory element within a processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct thecomputer or processor as a processing machine to perform specificoperations such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments.The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. Thesoftware may be in various forms such as system software or applicationsoftware and which may be embodied as a tangible and non-transitorycomputer readable medium. Further, the software may be in the form of acollection of separate programs or modules, a program module within alarger program or a portion of a program module. The software also mayinclude modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming.The processing of input data by the processing machine may be inresponse to operator commands, or in response to results of previousprocessing, or in response to a request made by another processingmachine.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed,constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task oroperation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an objectthat is merely capable of being modified to perform the task oroperation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as usedherein. Instead, the use of “configured to” as used herein denotesstructural adaptations or characteristics, and denotes structuralrequirements of any structure, limitation, or element that is describedas being “configured to” perform the task or operation. For example, acontroller circuit, processor, or computer that is “configured to”perform a task or operation may be understood as being particularlystructured to perform the task or operation (e.g., having one or moreprograms or instructions stored thereon or used in conjunction therewithtailored or intended to perform the task or operation, and/or having anarrangement of processing circuitry tailored or intended to perform thetask or operation). For the purposes of clarity and the avoidance ofdoubt, a general purpose computer (which may become “configured to”perform the task or operation if appropriately programmed) is not“configured to” perform a task or operation unless or until specificallyprogrammed or structurally modified to perform the task or operation.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by acomputer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions andtypes of materials described herein are intended to define theparameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting andare merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents ofthe respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in thefollowing claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the followingclaims are not written in means-plus-function format and are notintended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless and untilsuch claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed bya statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the various embodiments, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or the examples includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising: anultrasound probe including a cable; a housing including a connectorport, wherein the connector port is configured to attach the ultrasoundprobe to the housing; a display coupled to the housing via an arm mount;and a probe holder positioned along an edge of the display, wherein theprobe holder is configured to hold the ultrasound probe, and wherein,when positioned in the probe holder, the cable of the ultrasound probeis configured to hang freely from the probe holder without touching theground.
 2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, further comprisinga base configured to support the housing while in contact with theground.
 3. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 2, wherein the basecomprises a plurality of wheels configured to be in contact with theground, wherein the plurality of wheels enables the ultrasound system tobe mobile.
 4. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein thehousing is configured to be mounted to at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a wall and a bed.
 5. The ultrasound imaging systemof claim 1, wherein the arm mount is configured to traverse along avertical track of the housing in order to adjust a vertical position ofthe display with respect to the housing.
 6. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 5, wherein the display is configured to be moved betweena first vertical position and a second vertical position, wherein thesecond vertical position is lower than the first vertical position,wherein the probe holder is configured to move concurrently with thedisplay between the first vertical position and the second verticalposition, and, wherein, when positioned in the probe holder, the cableof the ultrasound probe is configured to hang freely above the groundwith the display in either the first vertical position or the secondvertical position.
 7. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 5, whereina length of the vertical track is based on a length of the cable toprevent the cable from being in contact with the ground when the probeis positioned in the probe holder.
 8. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 1, wherein the arm mount includes at least one of a fastenerconfigured to hold at least a portion of the cable to the arm mount anda channel configured to hold at least a portion of the cable to the armmount.
 9. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein whenpositioned in the probe holder, the cable of the ultrasound probe isconfigured to hang freely from the probe holder while not extendinglower than the housing.
 10. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 2,wherein when positioned in the probe holder, the cable of the ultrasoundprobe is configured to hang freely from the probe holder while notextending lower than the base.
 11. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 1, wherein the probe holder comprises a plurality of slots, eachof the plurality of slots having an entry diameter and a restingdiameter, wherein the entry diameter is smaller than the restingdiameter, and, wherein, the entry diameter is configured to allow thecable to move into the resting diameter.
 12. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the arm mount includes a first pivot jointpositioned at a first end of the arm mount and a second pivot jointpositioned at a second end of the arm mount.
 13. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the probe holder is positioned along a topedge of the display.
 14. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 13,wherein the top edge is proximate to the housing.
 15. The ultrasoundimaging system of claim 14, wherein the cable hangs freely between thedisplay and a front side of the housing.
 16. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 15, wherein a portion of the cable hangs freely downtoward the ground substantially beneath the top edge
 17. The ultrasoundimaging system of claim 13, wherein the probe holder comprises aplurality of slots, each of the plurality of slots having an entrydiameter and a resting diameter, wherein the entry diameter is smallerthan the resting diameter, and, wherein, the entry diameter isconfigured to allow the cable to move into the resting diameter.
 18. Theultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises afront side and a back side opposite the front side, wherein the armmount is attached to the front side of the housing, wherein the housingis configured to at least partially define a cable manage passageconfigured to guide at least one cable from the front side of thehousing to the connector port.
 19. The ultrasound imaging system ofclaim 18, wherein the connector port is on the back side of the housing.20. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 18, wherein the housingcomprises a cover section and wherein the cable manage passage isdefined by an upper portion of the housing and the cover section. 21.The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the housing isconfigured to maintain the ultrasound probe, including the cable, withina footprint of the ultrasound imaging system.
 22. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 21, wherein the footprint of the ultrasound imagingsystem is defined by a plurality of distal edges of the ultrasoundimaging system.
 23. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 21, whereinthe ultrasound imaging system further comprises a base including aplurality of wheels, and wherein the footprint is defined by a distaledge of the display and a plurality of distal edges of the plurality ofwheels.